Gomoa Potsin (C/R), Sept. 4, GNA – The Chiefs of Gomoa Potsin have asked district assemblies to respect and involve them in developmental projects, programs and initiatives to be executed in their areas for them to make positive inputs to better the lots of their communities.
According to them, their suggestions and contribution will help the assemblies to prioritize their immediate needs and avoid situations where projects provided became ‘white elephant’.
Nana Kwadofrakye V, Divisional Chief of Gomoa Potsin, made the appeal at a community engagement on Social Auditing, organized by the Gomoa East District Office of the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE), under its Accountability, Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption Programme (APRP).
The European Union (EU) is funding the programme which seeks to deepen public accountability in the country.
It was attended by traditional leaders who expressed their displeasure with the Gomoa East Assembly for not involving them in executions of projects in the town, and also failed to commence work on lands the chiefs had provided for projects leaving them very weedy.
Others who participated in the event were, civil society groups, representatives from the District Assembly, Education, Police and the District Environmental Health Directorate.
The people were schooled on their mandated functions, services to people and also the role the community should play to promote good governance and promote the rule of law.
Nana Kwadofrakye asked the government to give back the 30 percent quota of Senior High Schools (SHS) admissions to communities in which they were located for their children to benefit from.
Mr. Callus Paintsil, Gomoa East NCCE Director, said the aim of the social auditing was to promote community ownership of projects and policies, increase awareness of the operations of local government and to empower the citizenry to demand accountability from duty bearers.
It was also to give opportunity to persons outside government operations to influence policy implementation and evaluation, adding that social auditing was not an event, but rather a process towards achieving results.
It also engenders community ownership of projects and ensured effective and efficient delivery of services to communities in need.
“As people we must take into consideration community needs assessment, prioritization of your needs and to vigorously hold duty bearers accountable to their stewardship and deepen effective and efficient delivery of social services in your communities,” the District NCCE Director stated.
“Communities should decide on most pressing needs towards the development of their localities, develop community Action Plan to find solution to issues, play special role in providing communal labor and also seek assistance from the District Assembly when the need arises”.
The various speakers appealed to the people not to seek answers on issues that bothers them on the air-waves but go to the offices concern, to lodge complaints and seek redress.
The event was chaired by Nana Tweku Adasea IX, Chief of Gomoa Potsin and was attended by civil society organizations, traditional leaders and Assembly Members attended among others.
GNA